Take Advantage Of Off-Peak Cruise Deals

Cruisers who aren't after hot weather or calypso bands can find some great cruise deals by sailing to Alaska off peak, often referred to as Alaska's shoulder season. The off peak season begins in May through to early June and restarts again in September.

Peak season Alaska cruises can be more expensive than Caribbean cruises as there are fewer cruise companies sailing, however if you're after bargain cruise deals Royal Caribbean Cruises have some very tempting deals which provide passengers with the a look at Alaska's great wilderness and natural beauty. With less than two months until the off-peak season begins the deals are gradually rolling out, but you should also remember that many of the deals being offered mean you have to sail within sixty or ninety days.

Last minute bargains abound and whilst you may not get the stateroom you want, regular cruisers will know that they can still expect the same superb service and facilities they've always enjoyed, just at a lower price.

Shop around and keep you eye out for the latest cruise deals and you may find you can enjoy offers such as two-for-one, or reductions on future off-season cruises.

'Search For The Epic Star' Has Begun

Norwegian Cruise Lines have joined the latest influx of talent scouting by inviting amateur entertainers to take the opportunity to join world class entertainers on board their latest Freestyle Cruising ship during her inaugural festivities 2nd -4th July 2010, as they 'Search for the Epic Star'.

Entries opened last Friday to those who believe they have a unique and 'epic' talent in singing, dancing, juggling and comedy, single or groups of no more than four are invite to send a one minute video of their performance to arrive before April 25th 2010 in order to be included for judging. Applicants must be over 21years and reside in either the US or Canada. Terms and conditions apply.

At present Norwegian Epic has a host of world class entertainers including Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams and Dinner, Howl at the Moon and Nickelodeon, the winner of the contest will join these performers and share the spotlight on board this fabulous cruise ship.

Norwegian Cruise Lines chief executive officer Kevin Sheeman said; 'Norwegian Epic is known for its ground-breaking, world-class entertainment offerings. Therefore, we wanted to take that a step further and search for tomorrow's star and give them a chance to showcase their epic talent during the ship's inaugural festivities'.

Image: Norwegian Epic's Headliners Comedy Club

The Cruise Industry Forecast To Stay Afloat As Cruises Becoming Increasingly Popular

Great news for the cruise industry predicted by Mickey Arison, Chairman and CEO of Carnival Corporation, Carnival Cruises, as the UK cruise market has double over the last decade, he is forecasting that the numbers will double again over the next decade bringing the cruise passenger figure to three million annually.

He said; 'it will be partly stimulated by a much-increased range of cruises coming onto the market, including more short duration cruises from UK ports'.

The results of an online survey by one of the the leading cruise retailers received approximately 5,000 responses from frequent cruise passengers. The survey also revealed that more than a quarter of the people who took part were prepared to reduce other outgoings to ensure they have enough money to go on their main cruise holiday. Furthermore, one in three passengers said they would rather pay less than they would normally budget for a cruise and take the opportunity of cruise deals than not book one at all.

The survey highlighted some other interesting results which included that eight out of ten cruisers preferred smaller ships, carrying less than 1,000 passengers and half voting for cruise ships which carried between 1,000 and 2,000 passengers. Only one in every hundred people voted for cruising on a ship which carries more than 4,000 guests. A high percentage of people also indicated that they prefer cruises which were shared with predominately UK passengers.

Image: Carnival Triumph

Legendary Sophia Loren Godmother To MSC Magnificia

The 11th in the MSC Cruise fleet MSC Magnificia was christened by actress Sophia Loren to a backdrop of spectacular fireworks and of course champagne.

The ceremony was enjoyed by invited on board guests as well as being viewed by thousands via two giant floating screens and full MSC TV coverage.

MSC Magnificia weighs 90,000 gross tonnes and has capacity for over 3,000 passengers. The ship boasts state of the art facilities with it's innovative design concepts being found on the company's flagships MSC Fantasia and MSC Spendida.

MSC Magnificia's features include the Magrodome, the 1st within the Musica class series of ships. It's retractable roof, the largest of its kind, offer the opportunity for passengers to swim in all weathers, which is ideal for the Mediterranean sailings.

The ship also has world class double star Michelin chef Mauro Uliassi who will be at the forefront of the L'Oasi Restaurant. What more would one expect from MSC Cruises?

Passengers who like to keep fit, but also like to relax are also superbly catered for with a myriad of Olympic themed articles displayed in the L'Olimpiade sports bar.


MSC Magnifica will cruise the Mediterranean starting on the 20th March 2010. The 7 night itineraries take in Bari and Venice- Italy, Katakalon/Olympia -Greece, Izmir and Istanbul -Turkey and Dubrovnik - Croatia. Further MSC cruise deals and sailings are scheduled throughout the year.

Final Paint Coats For Disney Dream's Funnel

Disney Dream, currently under construction in Germany, is having the final touches of paint coats along with Disney Cruises traditional red and black coloured smokestack, before it is permanently mounted onto the ship.

The funnel is made from aluminium and is approximately nine-eight feet long, forty one feet wide and sixty five feet high. This massive funnel weighs 200 tons!
Scheduled to join the Disney Cruises fleet next year it is the first of two newly designed cruise ships which focuses on family cruises. The maiden voyage will be from the ships home port, Port Canaveral on 26th January 2011.

The second of the new Disney Cruise Line's ships, Disney Fantasy will be launched in 2012 along with two new ocean liners which will double the capacity of Disney Cruise Line. Each of the new ocean liners will have 1,250 staterooms and a tonnage of 128,000.

Disney Cruises are building on their reputation for offering family orientated cruises which incorporate the latest design innovations and offering fun packed cruise deals with wide and varied itineraries to suit Disney lovers of all ages. Each of their ships have areas designed specifically for different age groups from tots to teens and of course a whole host of entertainment and activities for whole families to experience together.

Image: Cruise Industry News

Swarkovski Crystal Staircase Links MSC Yacht Club Decks

There's more that opulence and grandeur on board MSC Cruises flagship the Fantasia.
MSC Fantasia joined the fleet in December 2008 and is the largest cruise ship specifically built for the European cruise line.

Fantasia has 1,637 staterooms with 80% having an ocean view and many with their own private balconies.

So what else can you expect from MSC Cruises Fantasia?

* The Acqua park has 150 illuminated musical fountains.

* 1,700 seats in the theatre which has live entertainment every night.

* Fantasia boasts a 4-D cinema.

* For passengers who love an adrenaline rush there is a F1 race car simulator when driving skills can be put to the test.

* A water slide in the children's pool.

* A glass roof called a magrodome encloses the pool area of the The MSC Fantasia I Tropici.

* World class restaurants in a variety of dining options, including Tex Mex.

* The La Caramella Candy Shop for those young and old with a sweet tooth.

The list is not exhaustive merely a 'taster' of what passengers looking for fantastic cruise deals can expect!

And if that's not tempting enough there's always the 99 MSC Yacht club suites which all have butler service, their own private sky-dome pool along with an exclusive Observation Lounge to meet the demands of the most discerning of cruise passengers. The Yacht Club suites are on two decks and linked by an impressive Swarkovski crystal staircase.

MSC Fantasia Image - MSC Cruises

Royal Caribbean Sailing Down Under

Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania are the latest destination for Royal Caribbean as they continue to expand their horizons. They are customising their itineraries with highlights to enthral passengers at ports of call including a tour of Sydney Opera House, experiencing native wildlife up close and personal at the Bonorong Wildlife Park along with museum visits to discover the arts, crafts and history of New Zealand.

Whilst cruising to ports of call passengers can enjoy all the luxury and fabulous on board facilities Royal Caribbean has to offer including rock climbing walls and cantilevered whirlpools as well as a whole host of other fascinating on board facilities which have become synonymous with Royal Caribbean cruises.

Those who have dreamed of the beautiful South Pacific will relish the opportunity to experience the warmth of the sunshine both on board and ashore are in for an experience of a lifetime as Royal Caribbean Cruises make headway for the stunning South Pacific with their newest cruise deals.

Furthermore Royal Caribbean have a loyalty reward system where passengers can earn credits for future cruises. The Crown & Anchor Society, the name given to the reward system, has different levels of membership with some interesting and enticing benefits for joining and moving up the levels!

2 New Mega-Ships For Princess Cruises

Latest news within the world of cruise ships is the announcement that parent company to Princess Cruises, Carnival Corporation, has signed a memorandum of agreement with Fincantari, an Italian shipbuilder, for two new Princess cruise ships which will début in 2013 and 2014.

Each of the two new ships will be the largest in the princess Fleet at 139,000 tons. They will hold 3,600 passengers making them approximately 20% larger than any other ship in the fleet. At a cost estimated at around $768 million the ships will be competing in size with other mega cruise ships; being slightly larger than the new Carnival Dream, the ships will dwarf the Ruby Princess which made its début in 2008. Neither of the ships have been named as yet and no indication as to the potential 'godmothers' has been mentioned to date.

With more and more people taking full advantage of cruise deals and the latest innovation in cruising luxury it looks as if the cruise industry is set to keep ahead of consumer trends with regards to both passenger needs and value for money.
Carnival Cruises have an existing fleet of over 20 cruise ships, sailing from twenty different ports to destinations around the world, including Europe.

The company focuses on providing passengers a fun packed cruise holiday with activities and entertainment itineraries to suit all ages. Offer 3-8 day cruises Carnival have built their reputation on providing excellence in an exciting an innovative way.

Image: Ruby Princess - Princess Cruises (Examiner)

Themed Cruises A Big Hit With Passengers

Cruise passengers who adore 'soaps' will be delighted to know that they can experience more than watching they favourite 'soap' during their cruise! Celebrity cruises have a four day 'Soap Cruise' departing from Miami this season.

Themed cruises are becoming more and more popular as such many of the leading cruise lines have a variety of diverse themed cruise deals this year. From lectures, demonstrations, performances by top personalities and tours are amongst the vast ranges on offer, where passenger participation is encouraged and welcomed.

Crystal Cruises have seven Wine and Food Experiences of Discovery this year featuring top chefs and wine experts. Crystal Cruises also have a mind, body and spirit Wellness cruise Departing from Singapore in April.

Holland and America Line also have a gastronomic delights for their passengers with over seventy chefs from the US providing a wealth of knowledge for the most discerning of palettes throughout their 2010 cruise season, all demonstrations will be presented in the new on-board Culinary Arts Centre.

MSC Cruises have a whole host of different themed cruises throughout the season from baseball, big band, polka, bridge along with varied food and wine themes. On their cruise ship Melody there are some unusual themes which include n Circus, arts, crafts, magic and dreams; further themes include music, fashion. Beauty and dance on South America cruises until May.

The whole ethos of passengers being spoilt for choice certainly holds true as themed cruises are becoming an integral part of meeting passenger needs.

Image: MSC Melody

Reviving Old Traditions: 'Bon Voyage' Experiences

Princess Cruises return to a by gone era of reviving the tradition of family and friends boarding cruise ships to say 'Bon Voyage'. This practice was stopped over two decades agao as the need for tighter security measures where needed.

However, the innovative programme 'Bon Voyage ExperienceSM' has a modern twist allowing passengers to invite guests on board to join them during the sailing day for a four course lunch, a tour of the ship as well as a souvenir photograph. Guests will have the opportunity to spend four hours with passengers prior to departure.
The programme is a proactive approach to introduce and tempt those who have never been on a cruise to savour the experience with the cost redeemable towards a future Princess cruise deals.

Bon Voyage ExperienceSM débuts this March in the ports of Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles, with the experience being available in New York from May, San Francisco from June and during the Alaska season, Sapphire Princess, Golden Princess and Royal Princess will offer the program in Seattle, beginning in May.

Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president said 'Long-time cruisers will recall the fun of the bon voyage send-off with their family and friends, and we’re excited to re-introduce a new, modern version of this experience'.

The Bon Voyage ExperienceSM will be available to approximately 50 guests on any given depature day.

Classical Disney 'Villains' Take Centre Stage

For those who love all things Disney, especially the Disney 'Villains' are in for a treat this spring as Disney Cruises are premièring a musical spectacular aptly named 'Villains Tonight!'.

The début of the show will be on-board Disney Magic this March as well as being included on the itinerary of Disney Dream in early 2011.

Dedicated to the Disney Villains we love to hate, the musical is the first full scale musical extravaganza that uses the famous villains and evil-doers in some comical moments to enthral passengers of all ages.

Focused on family fun, Disney cruise deals remain extremely popular, providing the traditions of extraordinary family entertainment and superb service throughout all of their cruises.

Jim Urry, Vice President of Entertainment for Disney Cruise Line, has said 'We pride ourselves in delivering exceptional entertainment and magnificent stage spectaculars aboard our ships,' adding 'With 'Villains Tonight!' we are bringing the lovable and loathsome Disney villains to life in a way never seen before - as the stars of the first musical comedy devoted to the anti-heroes of our films.'

An all-star creative team has been assembled by Disney Cruise Line, who are joined by Karma camp choreographer Allison Narver and Ben Cohn as musical director.

Image: Disney Magic's Sports Deck

Holland America Cruises Increases The Number Of No-Fly Cruises

For people who love cruising and yet don't like or are unable to fly out to ports to embark on-board cruises ships will be able to leave the Port of Dover as Holland America Cruise Lines begin their no-fly itineraries next year with three of their ships.

Based in Dover from May to August 2010 the 2,104 passenger Eurodam is scheduled to sail five 12 night cruises, one to the Norwegian fjords and the other four to the Baltic.

The Baltic cruise itineraries include ports of call at Copenhagen, Warnemunde, Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki and Stockholm and the Norwegian Fjord cruise visits Copenhagen, Oslo, Kristiansand, Bergen, Invergordon, South Queensferry and Newcastle.

The Ryndam, with capacity for 1,400 passengers, will also be at Dover to begin a 20-night round trip to the Mediterranean, calling at Portugal, Spain, France and Italy. A further three 7-night cruises to the Baltic and Norwegian fjords will be available in July and August which is hoped will attract novice cruisers to indulge and experience what Holland America Cruise Lines, HAL, have to offer, with tasters of enjoying unique, yet unpretentious cruise deals.

The third ship is the smaller 793 passenger Prinsendan which will be sailing two 14-night round Britain cruises leaving from Tilbury on July 11th and August 29th.

Although prices have yet to be confirmed by HAL they are expected to offer exceptional value for money, the actual costs will be given when the Ryndam cruises go on sale next Monday, 25th January in the UK as HAL are launching a mini brochure ahead of their main 2011 brouchure.

Lynn Narraway, managing director of HAL has said 'We will start to talk to agents next week about the cruises to secure early bookings.'

HAL no-fly cruises began in 2009 with a 4-night mini break departing from Dover on the Eurodam. They will also have three full length cruises on the Eorudam also departing from Dover this year.

HAL will have a total of 7 ships sailing in Europe in 2011, including their latest ship Nieuw Amsterdam which is scheduled for launch this July.

Great News For Solo Cruisers

Norwegian Cruise Lines are breaking the mould by being the first cruise line to offer no supplements for single passengers on their new Studio Staterooms on board their ship Norwegian Epic. The 128 new studio staterooms share a common living area, however, each studio has its own bedroom and bathroom.

Paying single room supplements has always been practised on many types of holidays, including cruises, with this ground breaking news solo passengers can still enjoy all the luxuries, without having to pay over the odds purely because they are on their own. With the many hundreds of cruise passengers who travel alone, this news will be music to their ears, as historically they have had to pay a supplement for being a single cabin occupant which has been a controversy amongst passengers for many years.

Despite the controversy many solo passengers opt for a cruise holiday for the on board camaraderie as well as the excellent facilities and service they can expect and rely upon, something which other styles of holidays simply don't offer.

The new studio staterooms provide ample room, with 100 square feet of living space along with full sized contemporary styled beds and a separate bathroom with sink and shower. With its own living area for singles, this is a first in the world of cruising, making single person cruise deals even more inviting. Some of the Studio staterooms have connecting doors, making them ideal for friends and family to share their cruise holiday and travel together, whilst still having their own space and privacy.

Despite being marked and classed as single Studio Staterooms, as they have either full sized or twin beds, couples will also be able to book the new rooms. The new Freestyle Cruising ship Norwegian Epic offers no single supplement on all of its sailings as from this week.

Diverse Choices Of On Board Amenities And Entertainment For Today's Discerning Cruisers

Today's discerning cruise passengers are looking for more than just sailing to exotic and exciting countries! On board they are looking for a wider variety of entertainment and amenities than ever before.

No longer are passengers quite happy just a stroll around the promenade decks, swim or simply bask in the sunshine, they are now looking and expecting to be entertained throughout the day and night. With the wide range of cruise deals which are available, the discerning cruiser can now select from the finest ranges of entertainment and amenities which pertain to their particular interests and hobbies to ensure they have the best of both worlds whilst on board.

Princess Cruises offer an extensive range of bespoke entertainment for their passengers, with their Scolarship at Sea programme it is possible for passengers to attend lectures in culinary arts, photography and computer technology, not forgetting their ever popular courses and lectures on maritime history, health and fitness, nutrition, politics along with a whole host of other events to keep their passengers fully occupied throughout their voyage! These options are above the usual port of call excursions, and high-class nightly entertainment which has come to be expected by experienced and novice cruisers alike.

Offering more destinations than any other cruise company there are wide and very varied itineraries which not only have been introduced to keep returning cruisers happy. but also Princess Cruises have taken on board, quite literally, the need to extend their facilities in order to meet consumer demands. Their cruises cater for all age ranges with special facilities for young children as well as teenagers, making these ideal cruises for families.

As cruises are becoming one of the most popular ways to spend holiday time the cruise companies are keeping ahead of current and emerging trends on the consumer market by continually updating and rethinking their entertainment schedules. Princess Cruises offer 24-hour dining facilities as well as the more conventional styled restaurants, to suit all pallets and taste buds!

New Year – New Name For Azamara Cruises

Part of Royal Caribbean/Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Cruises is being given a new name. The two ships will now be called Azamara Club Cruises which will call at one hundred and forty ports this year in fifty different countries.

A new name is not the only new 'good news' from Azamara Club Cruises as from spring this year they will be introducing a whole host of new and exciting amenities and special offers for their passengers, including complementary soda, bottled water and coffee throughout the ships along with complementary house wines being poured at both lunch and diner.

Further money saving aspects for passengers include gratuities for housekeeping and dining staff as well as a free shuttle service when in port. All of these money saving aspects will help to ease the minds of novice cruisers who historically are known to forget to include gratuities within their spending budget.

Other aspects of Azamara Club Cruises will remain the same with passengers being spoilt for choice with the wide and varied on board amities, exceptional customer service, sumptuous dining options, with two nights of speciality dining, which go hand in hand with the warm welcome that smaller and more intimate cruise ships offer.

The two ships have been newly redecorated to the highest of standards and those that have previously booked cruise deals will be more than delighted with the all important finishing touches such as fresh flowers and fruit baskets daily, a 'sweet' surprise on passenger's pillows each night, new European style bedding, afternoon canapés, use of binoculars and plush robes all being complementary. For those who really enjoy the finer things in life but prefer to share with other passengers there is the opportunity to book spa treatments in-suite and private portrait sittings.

P&O Cruises 'January Sail'!

We are all aware the high street and online retailers have their January Sales for savvy consumers to grab themselves a bargain! This year P&O Cruises are offering their own January sale or should that be 'sail'!

Once the festive season is over historically people turn their attention to their summer holidays, as such P&O Cruises are offering a whole host of incentives to encourage people to book their cruise holidays from today, 28^th December, until 31^st January 2010 by offering generous discounts of up to one thousand pounds per couple along with free on board shopping along with other enticing promotions and discounts.

P&O Cruises will have seven cruise ships sailing from the UK in 2010 with the addition of their super-liner Azura in April. P&O Cruises also offer the largest choice of departures from Southampton with a wide variation of cruise deals to suit novice cruise passengers to the more experienced cruisers.

P&O Cruises 'January Sail' incentives include:

• Double discounts on the Ventura and Azura superior deluxe balcony staterooms, which means potential savings of up to £1,000 per couple.

• On board spending money sees increases of up to £150 per person on selected departures during April and June.

• Passengers booking online for cruise deals between April and June on selected departures can also save a further 2.5%.

• P&O Cruises also have a 'Cruise Ahead' promotion which offers an additional 5% discount to passengers who pay in full for their cruise at the time of booking.

Those looking for great cruise deals will be spoilt for choice with P&O Cruises visiting more than 200 destinations around the world. The savings being offered makes cruising more affordable at a time when everyone is looking to snap up a bargain and make their money stretch further.